Let me preface this by saying it’s not a rumor I heard or anything, just a thought I have.

I know that the New York Giants and everyone else loves Mathias Kiwanuka and I do too as well.

He’s obviously versatile and has a good motor. He can get to the QB and is at least average if not better against the run. He’s, in short, a good player who had 8 sacks last season and 4 and 4.5 the two prior to that, but his name seems to get shot down right away when included with the Braylon Edwars talks?

And my question is why?

I love Mathias Kiwanuka, but what if the Giants could get Braylon Edwards for Kiwanuka straight up?

I think it is an interesting scenario to ponder.

Now, personally I have already professed my love for Braylon Edwards and Kenny Britt, but I’m thinking about this logically, not on a whim.

Right now on the Giants roster there are a ton of Defensive linemen.

Players that can play DE are: Justin Tuck, Osi Umeinyora, Mathias Kiwanuka, Chris Canty, Dave Tollefson (3.5 sacks last year in spot duty), and Robert Henderson.

So obviously Kiwanuka is not going to be a starter and won’t play nearly as much as he did last year.

But the real reason I ask this question is because it’s not going to be cheap to keep Kiwinuka when he gets a new contract-and I don’t know if the Giants will want to spend the money on another DL and sink so much into one position. Or if Kiwi stays as a a backup.

And at the #29th overall pick in the draft there are a few really Good Options to play DE as a pass rushing specialist.

There are a few guys who could pin their ears back and just get after the QB.

Players like Larry English

and the biggest wildcard in the draft and THE player with the most upside in this entire draft, Michael Johnson.

Michael Johnson is as athletic as Mario Williams at 6-7 inches and a 4.75 40. He had 17.5 Tackles for Loss last year with 9 sacks.

Michael Johnson is a freak of nature. The Giants seem to know how to get the most out of their DE and I think on this team he could be special.

The ONLY question about Johnson is does he take plays off? That’s a bit disconcerning, but I think a young player trying to play his way to a big second pay day won’t take many plays off, especially if he didn’t start and only had a couple handful of plays every game, which he would on the Giants.

Other late 1st round possibilities are Connor Barwin and Clint Sintim. Sintim can stand up on 4-3 DE on passing situations to get after the QB that have late 1st round possibilities of being picked.

Or possibly even play OLB in a 4-3

And then if the Giants got rid of Kiwanuka and wanted to find other alternatives with the first pick with one of their 2nd round picks they could go with:

extremley athlietc Jarron Gilbert, 6-5 288 20 Tackles for Loss this past season.

Cody Brown

Paul Krueger out of Utah who is a Jared Allen type of player (constant motor)

Or one of my favorite pass rushers (not complete Defensive End) in the draft Lawrence Sidbury. Who ran a 4.6 40 and can just get at the QB (doesnt play the run all so well, but can pass rush, definitely a great situational pass rusher)

Well so there you have it, another possibility (unlikely one) that you might not hear very often.

It’s what I’m kind of interested in.

I think the Giants can find a player who can play DE and get at the QB in the first two rounds who could also contribute this year and beyond more so then they could find a WR who will be able to do the same.

I would only make the trade to the Browns if it could be done straight up because as much as I like Kiwinuka I think he can be replaced (preferrably by Larry English or Michael Johnson if we took this route).

But again, I don’t think this will happen.

I think ultimately the Giants and Cleveland will settle on something like a 2nd (the early one) and a third round pick (as opposed to the 1st and a 3rd) in exchange for Braylon Edwards. It’s right in between the asking price the Browns want and what the Giants seem to be willing to offer.

Which I think is plenty fair value…it’s not like the Giants can use all the picks anyway.

Whatever happens though I’m glad to be a Giants fan.

I think there are three teams that no matter what happens in the draft you start the draft grades with a

B+ and those three teams are the Steelers, the Colts (THE best drafting team) and the Giants.

These three teams rosters are made up largely of drafted players that are still on the team. High draft picks, pro bowlers and the like.

5 days and counting.

As always if you have the time to leave a comment I’ll take the time to respond to your comments.

Have a nice day, everyone.